Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center

  Verified by Volunteer World
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rating

4.9

Outstanding


18

Reviews


35

Years in business

Costa Ricas largest wildlife sanctuary encompassing a Rehabilitation Center, Endangered Species Breeding Center, Lifetime care sanctuary and two release sites.

Who We Are

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (formerly Rescate Animal Zooave) is a registered non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility founded in 1989 and located on 34 acres of natural tropical forest in the province of Alajuela, Costa Rica.


What We Do

Our mission is to protect and restore the ...

Review Description

Who We Are

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (formerly Rescate Animal Zooave) is a registered non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility founded in 1989 and located on 34 acres of natural tropical forest in the province of Alajuela, Costa Rica.


What We Do

Our mission is to protect and restore the country’s biodiversity through wildlife rehabilitation, endangered species breeding, habitat preservation and the provision of lifetime care for truly non-releasable animals.

There are three main centers at Rescate’s facility in Alajuela:

1.      A state-of-the-art Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

2.      An Endangered Species Breeding Center

3.      A Lifetime Care Sanctuary with more than 125 species of animals.

Over 2,700 wild animals are admitted to Rescate on an annual basis including sloths, jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, pumas and coyotes as well as a wide variety of birds, small mammals and reptiles. 

Roughly 2% of the birds, mammals, and reptiles that have been rescued cannot be released due to health or behavioral reasons. Non-releasable endangered species in the Endangered Species Breeding Center have an opportunity to contribute to the survival of their species through successful breeding and release of off-spring. Non-releasable wildlife of other species are provided with lifetime sanctuary in the Lifetime Care Sanctuary.

Where we work? 

We are located in Alajuela, Costa Rica just 20 minutes from the main international airport. Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is a lush green forest that provides a natural environment to our resident animals. Costa Rica is known for it’s incredible biodiversity and there are beautiful views at almost every turn. As we are so close to San Jose it’s possible to get a bus to just about everywhere in the country!


Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people passionate about animal welfare and conservation who would like to learn more about real-world conservation and improve the lives of animals.


Why choose us?

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica and we are one of only two sanctuaries in Costa accredited by GFAS (Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries). There is no other organisation in Costa Rica that provides the opportunity to experience a sanctuary, rehabilitation center, endangered species breeding center and two release sites! 


Contact Person

Jeanne Marie Pittman Conservation Programs Manager

Spoken languages: English
  Good response rate

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center reviews

Julie Bouchard rating5.0

2022 at Wildlife Internship

I spent 2 weeks as a wildlife intern. Living at the site and participating in the care of so many animals was amazing. The work was physical at times. The entire staff was awesome and always willing to teach me about the wildlife and also improve my Spanish. I highly recommend this experience ...
Ana Luiza Versiani rating5.0

2022 at Wildlife Internship

Amazing experience. We loved our stay at this place. It's very organized and they are doing a serious work on helping wild animals in Costa Rica. I highly recomend it. Nice people, good lodging, nice food, beautiful place. We were so happy to have chosen this particular place. ..
Dana Kumprechtova rating4.8

2022 at Wildlife Internship

I volunteered at Rescate Animal ZooAve for 3 weeks and enjoyed this experience tremendously. The centre is highly professional and the care of animals is excellent. Many rescued animals (or their offspring) are released back into the wild at the Rescate Animal release sites, at one of which I also ...
Abigel Fekete rating4.8

2022 at Wildlife Internship

Really enjoyed my stay at the rescue center, got to meet incredibly knowledgeable people, have had marvelous experiences during my 8 days. I wished the food they served for the volunteers was better. ..
Serena rating5.0

2021 at Wildlife Internship

When I came to Costa Rica for this internship, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I expected to see a few cool animals and mostly ask questions and ask if I could jump in at times. I was hoping to be able to do as much hands on as possible, but I didn’t expect to be able to at first. I ...
Kade Hudgins rating5.0

2021 at Wildlife Internship

My time at rescate was amazing and is truly a time I will not forget! Working along side other volunteers and learning from Phil and Sophie has pushed me to want to continue my journey in conservation. I highly recommend this program for anybody who wants to get into conservation, or even to just ...

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UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Life On Land